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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a prenatal test in which a sample of chorionic villi is removed from the placenta for testing.
During pregnancy, the placenta provides oxygen and nutrients to the growing baby and removes waste products from the baby's blood. The chorionic villi are wispy projections that make up most of the placenta and share the baby's genetic makeup.
Chorionic villus sampling can reveal whether a baby has a chromosomal abnormality, such as Down syndrome. Chorionic villus sampling can also be used to test for other genetic disorders, such as Tay-Sachs disease and cystic fibrosis.
Although chorionic villus sampling can provide valuable information about your baby's health, the decision to pursue invasive diagnostic testing is serious. It's important to understand the risks of chorionic villus sampling — and be prepared for the results.
- Ghidini A, et al. Chorionic villus sampling: Risks, complications and techniques. www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 18, 2010.
- Diagnosing birth defects. American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp164.cfm. Accessed Jan. 18, 2010.
- Cunningham FG, et al. Williams Obstetrics. 23rd edition. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=6021591. Accessed Feb. 8, 2010.
- Simpson JL, et al. Prenatal genetic diagnosis. In: Gabbe SG, et al. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2007:1.
- Chorionic villus sampling. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1165.asp. Accessed Feb. 9, 2010.
- Cystic fibrosis: Prenatal screening and diagnosis. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp171.cfm. Accessed Feb. 9, 2010.
- Tay-Sachs disease and Sandhoff diseases. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/4439_1227.asp. Accessed Feb. 9, 2010.
- Harms RW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Accessed Feb. 10, 2010.
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